PurposeThis study aims to redefine the urban heritage value of trade streets in Hanoi's Ancient Quarter (AQ) and propose an expanded notion of the “historicity” found through intangible cultural heritage (ICH).Design/methodology/approachA longitudinal analysis was conducted to examine the historical transitions of trade streets, thereby providing an alternative value perspective for considering the area's conservation management. The trade streets were specifically analysed from the pre-colonial era to 2017 using past survey data concerning the distribution and concentration of trade types, statistical documents from the colonial era and recent fieldwork data from investigations into 79 trade streets, thus identifying seven patterns of change.FindingsIndividual trade streets contribute to the unique identities of their respective streets while collectively providing experiential value through the overall variety and density of trade types. Further, the value of modernised trade streets can be found in their support of the area's systemic and experiential values.Practical implicationsCurrent management approaches should shift to include non-traditional trade streets that have experienced gradual changes or retained specific businesses for long periods of time.Originality/valueThis was the first study to conduct a longitudinal analysis of AQ trading with partial support from statistical data. It explored an expanded way of interpreting historicity from the viewpoint of dynamic ICH along the two axes of pace and intensity by tracing changes in commercial activities over time.

Organization and place for partnership of local society and experts is called urban design center. Architecture and planning schools have its examples. This paper reports the first year of Urban Design Center Tamura (UDCT) to show how local government, local community and university collaborate to revitalize a small city.

A case study of urban design studio at University of Tokyo in Kashiwa-no-ha area, Chiba

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This study proposes measures to improve urban heritage conservation in the central area of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, by comparing it with Yokohama City (YC), Japan. Based on the past literature on the development stages of urban heritage management, two aspects critical for successful heritage conservation-legal framework and management structure-were examined. The common drawbacks associated with these two aspects and the countermeasures taken for advancement in the early stages of heritage conservation in the two cities were compared. In addition to policy analysis, indepth interviews with officials and experts were conducted to collect data between 2013 and 2015. The results show that while both cities faced the need for legalisation in the first stage of their heritage conservation, YC could systematically move to the second stage to accelerate its legislative process and establish an urban design division and an external expert team. In the second stage, both cities lacked powerful incentives and enforcement, but YC has supplemented its enforcement measures, persistent negotiation and coordination activities to actively apply its incentives. The solutions for HCMC focus on proposing additional incentives and sanctions to enable its Department of Planning and Architecture officials to effectively negotiate with owners and investors and develop a legal framework while conducting pilot projects to inform legalisation. An urban conservation team within the government to collaborate with organisations specialised in conservation is also proposed to improve the city's management structure.